Lamborghini Countach: Superstar on Lake Como

The Lamborghini Countach was presented for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1971, and it immediately became a legend thanks to its futuristic design and extraordinary performance. The first model, Countach LP 400 S (400 indicates the cubic capacity of the 4.0-litre Dallara V12 engine and LP refers to the latter’s longitudinal rear positioning) is the result of the teamwork of the two designers Paolo Stanzani and Marcello Gandini (“father” also of the equality famous and loved Lamborghini Miura).

Since its market introduction, the Lamborghini Countach has captured the attention of collectors, lovers of the brand and the international jet-set wanting to own it as a “status symbol”. The initial sober style – characterized by square lines, scissor doors and pop-up headlights – has gradually been enriched over the years with the various versions. From 1971 to 1990 there were seven different versions of the Lamborghini Countach:

• from 1974 to 1977 the first real mass production of the Countach LP 400 called “Periscopio”; a distinctive feature of the Countach of this period is the particular “depression” on the roof to make room for the “periscope” rear-view mirror (hence the name of the model). The mirror was abandoned during the production phases, but the nickname “Periscopio” of this Countach model has remained;
• from 1978 to 1982 the Lamborghini Countach LP 400 S was divided into three different series: S1, S2 and S3. The first two series had an almost ground-kissing front spoiler, a feature making it particularly difficult to deal with bumps or ramps. A raised front spoiler on the Countach S3 resulted in more comfortable driving on normal roads. All three versions differed from the previous model thanks to their wide tyres and Campagnolo magnesium rims, features maintained in subsequent years;
• from 1982 to 1987 the Countach became the LP 500 S, the first ever with electronic ignition. This allowed Lamborghini to increase the engine capacity, hp and speed; this model was capable of reaching 290km/h. For the first time, the rear wing was also added as standard on the Lamborghini Countach LP 5000 S;
• in 1988 the first carbon fiber Countach appeared, designed and commissioned by Horacio Pagani who at the time worked as a designer at the Lamborghini headquarters in Sant’Agata Bolognese (before being recognized as the inventor of the “Zonda”). Subsequently, a special limited edition model was launched to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the introduction of the Lamborghini Countach. The 25th anniversary Countach is a true pop icon: captivating design full of spoilers and side skirts, overwhelming power, low stance and wide tyres. The anniversary edition was superseded by the “Diablo” model.

The entire range of historic Lamborghini Countach has made history and forever changed people’s perception of sports car. Above all because this car has been used in numerous films and TV series, thus imprinting itself in the minds of millions of viewers from all over the world and – consequently – also increasing the value of these Lamborghini jewels. Let’s go through some of the films that made the Lamborghini Countach a pop icon!

The 1979 Lamborghini Countach, Protagonist of the “Cannonball Run” Enters the US Library of Congress

In 1981 a Lamborghini Countach LP 400 S from 1979 was chosen as the undisputed star of the comedy movie “The Cannonball Run”, launched in Italy as “la Corsa più Pazza d’America/The craziest race in America”. The plot is about a fictional illegal race in the USA in which cars and citizens from the East coast and the West coast compete against each other. Exactly in those years, based on a severe repression by the police regarding speed limits (the maximum was 55 miles, equal to about 88 km/h), car enthusiasts decide to challenge each other by driving in the shortest time possible across the USA from the center of Manhattan in New York to the Redondo Beach Pier in California. This story, in contrast with the laws in force, inspired Hollywood to create this film choosing the most representative sports cars of those years – among others the Countach. The cars were driven by a highly prestigious cast including Roger Moore, Burt Reynolds, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Junior and Farrah Fawcett.

The winner of the race is the Lamborghini Countach LP 400 S from 1979, which was already possible to guess from the first 3 minutes of the initial scene dedicated entirely to this car. The model is black with leather interior, has a 912 engine with 6 carburettors and was owned by a friend of the director. Exactly 40 years after the release of “The Cannonball Run” this car, with chassis number #11211112, entered the US Library of the Congress and the National Vehicle Register list of cars considered important for American history (together with only 30 others cars).

A historic moment for this car was celebrated in September 2021 when the Countach from the movie was exhibited in a glass case on the National Mall in Washington D.C.

A Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary in the Cult Movie “The Wolf of Wall Street”

A masterpiece directed by Martin Scorsese starring Leonardo DiCaprio as the main character Jordan Belfort, an unscrupulous New York stockbroker who becomes rich thanks to illicit activities and who leads a decadent life; the movie shows the initial rise and later the disastrous downfall of the broker and spotlights the life led by Wall Street brokers.

Could a man with this lifestyle not indulge in a Lamborghini? So here is the Lamborghini Countach again, this time in the 25th Anniversary version. One of the key scenes of the movie is the one in which DiCaprio, under the influence of drugs, drives his brand new white Countach and tells how he managed to get home without even a scratch. This is denied shortly after when DiCaprio is arrested by the police and the spectators can see the car literally destroyed behind him.

Fun fact: originally the director had asked for a reproduction of the Lamborghini but subsequently he chose a real Lamborghini Countach. A model with a mileage of only 11,000 kilometers and one of only 23 white models in the world, built for the US market. Almost new!

“House of Gucci”: the High Fashion Family drives a 25th Anniversary Lamborghini Countach

Some scenes of the latest movie featuring a Lamborghini Countach are set on our beloved Lake Como.

The car is already shown in the trailer of “House of Gucci”, a movie directed by Ridley Scott starring among others Al Pacino, Lady Gaga and Adam Driver, and in which Maurizio Gucci buys a Lamborghini 25th Anniversary model. The car from Sant’Agata Bolognese, which has always embodied the very concept of supercar in terms of design and performance, could not but be found in this combination of high fashion, luxury and sports cars!

In “House of Gucci”  the beauty of 25th anniversary Lamborghini Countach is exalted by the landscape and surroundings, for instance the roads that take Mr. Gucci up and down Lake Como and, in particular, Villa Balbiano on Lake Como in Ossuccio, in the municipality of Tremezzina, hosting the Gucci family and their cars.

Lamborghini and Lake Como: a Perfect Combination

Every day the streets along Lake Como host a real supercar parade which intensifies during summer, also thanks to dedicated events taking place on the shores of the lake. A Lamborghini is certainly one of the best ways to explore and experience all facets of Lake Como and admire its unique panorama. If you are privileged enough to own a classic model like the Countach, do not hesitate to take it to the shores of the Lake… it will be its natural habitat!

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